PSYC week 9

Question 1

Understand scientific approaches to comprehending consciousness.

Answer 1

-began with first person perspective
-third person perspective
-contemplative science: research area that concerns how contemplative practices (like meditation) effect individuals behaviour, emotionally reactivity, cognitive abilities, and brains, as well as first person observations from individuals who have gained extraordinary experiences in introspection
-philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience

Question 2

Be familiar with evidence about human vision, memory, body awareness, and decision making relevant to the study of consciousness.

Answer 2

-visual awareness depends on an exchange of information in multiple brain areas, specifically cerebral cortex, reciprocal exchange of information between higher-level visual areas and primary visual cortex appears to be essential for generating visual awareness
-degree of consciousness is high when multiple interrelated ideas arise, a mixture of short, medium, and long range neural connections is needed
-body awareness: we can feel and can see our body being touched
-primary function of consciousness is that it allows us to predict our own behaviour
-conscious decision should be made when there are few factors vs a gut decision when there a many

Question 3

contemporary theories about consciousness

Answer 3

the Global Neuronal Workspace Theory of Consciousness - in which sharing of information among prefrontal, inferior parietal, and occipital regions of the cerebral cortex is postulated to be especially important for generating awareness.
Information Integration Theory of Consciousness - shared information itself constitutes consciousness
A Social Neuroscience Theory of Consciousness - that you fare better in a social environment to the extent that you can predict what people are going to do.

Question 4

Awareness

Answer 4

A conscious experience or the capability of having conscious experiences, which is distinct from self-awareness, the conscious understanding of one’s own existence and individuality.

Question 5

Conscious experience

Answer 5

The first-person perspective of a mental event, such as feeling some sensory input, a memory, an idea, an emotion, a mood, or a continuous temporal sequence of happenings

Question 6

Define consciousness and distinguish between high and low conscious states

Answer 6

-consciousness: awareness of ourselves and environment
-low awareness: our brains receive stimuli without us actually aware of the information taken in, affects our behaviour in an unconscious way
-high awareness: effortful attention and careful decision making, less persuaded by bias and stereotypes
-mindfulness: awareness of thoughts passing through one’s head

Question 7

Explain the relationship between consciousness and bias

Answer 7

-flexible correlation model: ability for people to correct or change their beliefs if they believe their judgments are biased

Question 8

Understand the difference between popular portrayals of hypnosis and how it is currently used therapeutically

Answer 8

-hypnosis: a state of consciousness where a person can be easily manipulated by the suggestions of others, involves dissociation from environment and focus on a single stimulus usually paired with a sense of relaxation
-hypnotherapy: involves a combination of relaxation, suggestion, motivation, and expectancies to create a desired mental state, mixed evidence on whether it can help with addiction, can help with those who experience chronic pain by helping them dissociate from their pain

Question 9

Hypnosis

Answer 9

Hypnosis: the state of consciousness whereby a person is highly responsive to the suggestions of another; this state usually involves a dissociation with one’s environment and an intense focus on a single stimulus, which is usually accompanied by a sense of relaxation

Question 10

Priming

Answer 10

Priming: the activation of certain thoughts or feelings that make them easier to think of and act upon

Question 11

Psychoactive drugs

Answer 11

• Hallucinogens (Weed)
• Depressants (alcohol)
• Stimulants (coffee)

Question 12

REM sleep

Answer 12

The body is essentially paralyzed
Brain waves similar to being awake, but we are dreaming
20%

Question 13

Slow-wave sleep

Answer 13

Muscle relaxation
Rapid delta waves start to appear
20%

Question 14

Light sleep

Answer 14

Features high intensity sleep spindles
Spindles important for memory
55%

Question 15

Sleep onset

Answer 15

This is when you are beginning to fall asleep
Characterized by theta waves
25%

Question 16

Circadian rhythms

Answer 16

The physiological sleep-wake cycle. It is influenced by
exposure to sunlight as well as daily schedule and
activity. Biologically, it includes changes in body
temperature, blood pressure and blood sugar.

Question 17

melatonin

Answer 17

A hormone associated
with increased drowsiness
and sleep.